Democrats file compalaint against Murkowski

A Murkowski spokesman dismissed the complaint and said the campaign is preparing detailed records for the state agency overseeing candidate spending.

A complaint was filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission on Thursday by the Alaska Democratic Party alleging Murkowski should divulge $40,425 in campaign expenses.

Murkowski spokesman Dan Saddler said APOC requested the information last week and that campaign staff was in the process of complying with that request when the Democrats complaint surfaced.

Saddler characterized the dispute as ''a minor paperwork thing.''

The Alaska Democratic Party alleged Murkowski spent more than $39,300 using credit cards to hide what services or items the money bought. The expenses were found in campaign records of credit card payments.

Democrats also allege another $1,120 was improperly reported and that several contributors gave more than $500 to the campaign in violation of state campaign contribution laws.

Saddler said the campaign is scrupulous about returning campaign contributions to contributors who give more than the state limits allow.

APOC Director Brooke Miles said her agency will begin looking into the matter but doubted that it would be complete by the Nov. 5 general election.